Copy holder for stenotype strips



Dec. 14, 1937. J. M NAMARA COPY HOLDER FOR STENOTYPE STRIPS Filed Sept. 4, 1936 INVENTOR J'a rdwafl amara/ ATTORN Patented Dec. 14, 1937 UNITEB STATES PATENT, OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to copy holders for use in transcribing stenotype records.

As is well-known, a stenotype record consists of a relatively long and narrow strip of paper folded and counter-folded so as to form a block or stack approximately four to six inches in length and of a height depending on the length of the strip and the number of layers of folds and counter-folds produced in forming the block or stack from a strip of given length. 'I'he'strip from such a block or stack is passed through a stenotype machine by the feed mechanism and during its passage therethrough a stenotype record is printed on one face thereof by the operation of the keys of the stenotype machine in the same way that a typewriter is operated. The stenotype record thus formed is in symbols of such a nature that a great mass of words can be recorded in a relatively small space in a manner similar to stenographic notes. When such a record has been produced in the machine the strips are refolded into block or stack form and must then be transcribed either by the operator of the stenotype or another typist in order that aprinted copy may be made of what has been printed in stenotype symbols on the record and in the words and language as indicated by the stenotype record. This transcription is made in the usual way by a typist to whom the stenotype record is read or who reads the record as the typed transcription is produced. Also frequently the stenotype record is read and transcribed to a dictaphone operator who makes a record thereof to be later typed.

An object of the present invention is to produce a holder for the stenotype record so constructed that the block or stack of the folded and counter-folded strip containing the record will. be held in proper condition until transcribed and to deliver the strip or record as wanted as the symbols thereon are transcribed, and further to provide a suitable rest or table over which the strip may be passed so placed that portions of the strip or record may be disposed and held in convenient position before the one who may be making the transcription.

A further object is to produce such a holder of simple form and construction at moderate cost and 'one which will be effective in operation and adapted to receive and protect the record in block or stack form while in the holder and while being drawn therefrom and over the rest or table.

To the above ends the present invention consists of the copy holder for stenotype records which is shown in' the accompanying drawing and which will now be described, and it further consists of the'devices and combinations of devices hereinafter set forth.

The present invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which-f Fig. 1 shows a perspectiveview of the holder in operation;

Fig. 2 shows a vertical sectional View taken on a line intermediate the side walls and parallel thereto;

Fig. 3 shows a cross section'taken on the line 3-3 inFigql'g. .1

Similar reference characters will be employed to designate corresponding parts.

As shown in the drawing, the holder comprises side walls I and 2, both of which are of the same shape and size, the forward edges being inclined as shown at 3 and merging into the horizontal as shown at 4. The rear edges 5 are vertical and the bottom edges 6 are horizontal and parallel to the edges 4, the edges 3 and the edges 6 converging into the relatively low or short front edges 7.

The side walls I and 2 are connected to a front wall 8, a top wall 9, a rear wall It, and a bottom wall I! enclosing a chamber I2 into which may be placed the stack or block of stenotype record l3. The walls 8, 9, I0 and II are approximately the width of the strip forming the stenotype record I3. A transversely extending block I4 is fixedly mounted within the chamber I2 spanning the space between the side walls I and 2 and resting upon the bottom wall II forming a stop against which the forward end of the stack or block I3 may rest, or to engage the forward edge of the stack or block I3 to prevent its sliding back and forth in the chamber l2. Preferably the top wall 9 will be inclined downwardly and rearwardly from the top of the wall 8 to the top of the back wall I El, the portions of the walls I and 2 above the top wall 9 extending upwardly and forming side guides I5 for the strip I3.

At the lower end of the inclined wall 8 and above the bottom II is a slot I6 through which the strip of stenotype record passes as it is drawn from the chamber 52 and over the table 8. From the top of the table 8 the strip I3 passes over the top wall 9 and downwardly against the back wall In and is led beneath the bottom II over cleats IT which span the space between the side walls I and 2 adjacent the lower edges 6 thereof. These cleats ll support the strip I3 as the end of the strip is drawn along beneath the bottom H where the free end passes out through a slot l8 immediately below the slot l6.

Under the wall of table 8 there is pivotally mounted at I!) a swinging gravity-actuated gate 20, the lower end of which rests upon the record strip I3 as it is drawn off of the stack and passed over the table 8 thus maintaining a slight tension thereon holding the paper in position against the outer surface of the various walls until it is positively moved by a pull on the free end of the strip as it projects through the slot l8.

The apparatus may be made of any suitable light material of sufiicient rigidity such as a light wood or metal. As shown in Fig. 1, the side wall 2 will be cut out as at 2| forming an opening, giving access to the interior and permitting the. I ready insertionof the stack or block 13 of stemtype record therein. Having deposited the stack l3 in the chamber, it is passed through the slot IS in such a way that the printed surface will be exposed on the inclined table ,8, thence it will pass over the. wall 9 between the guides 15 down back of the back wall l0 and through the guide formed by the bottom wall II and the cleats I! where the free end projects from the slot I 8 in position to be grasped by the operator and drawn outas a new printed surface thereof is required.

On occasion it may be necessary to draw the strip backwards so as to read or reread some of the symbols which have been passed in transcribing. For this purpose the side wall 2 near its forward end and the edge of the table 8 are provided with a notch 22 near the lower end whereby the operator may insert a finger and grasp the edge of the strip to pull it back again for any purpose.

I claim:

1. A holder for stenotype record strips comprising a chamber to receive the folded strips and defined by a bottom wall, a rear wall, a top wall inclined upwardly from the rear wall, an. inclined table extending from the forward end of the top wall to the. forward end of the bottom wall and side walls projecting above the top wall and acting as a guide for thestrip exteriorly and interiorly of the chamber, spaced cleats below the bottom wall acting as guides for the previously read portion of the strip, one of the cleats and the lower end of the table being spaced from the forward end of said bottom wall to provide outlet passages for the ends of the strip.

2..A holder, for stenotype record strips comprising a chamber to receive the folded strips, an

inclined front wall, a top, rear and bottom wall,

the front being spaced from the bottom wall to provide a discharge opening for that portion of the strip which is to be read, said walls defining a prescribed path for the strip after issuing from the opening, cleats spaced from the underface of the. bottom wall for supporting the strip in fiat contact with said wall, one of the cleats being disposed adjacent the opening to provide a guiding passage from the holder for that portion of the strip which has been read.

' JAY MCNAMARA. 

